Groundbreaking of a low-income housing project brings city official to the Powellhurst Gilbert Neighborhood

Learn more about the 37-unit affordable housing development ‚Äì one that features a built-in day-care center ‚Äì to outer East Portland ‚Ä¶

ROSE Community Development President Jim Barrett (left, standing under the balloons) welcomes people to the lot on which Leander Court, the newest development of Rose Community Development Corp., will be built.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While some neighborhood leaders and business people in outer East Portland question whether or not more low-income housing is good for Powellhurst-Gilbert, a new 37-unit development did break ground not long ago.

Leander Court, the new Section-8 housing, is being built on SE 122nd Avenue, just south of SE Holgate Boulevard. Amenities will include a courtyard, three play structures, two covered play areas, Energy Star appliances, and a community room with kitchen.

“We’re pleased to be breaking ground for this affordable housing development today,” Nick Sauvie, Executive Director, Rose Community Development Corporation, told us. “There are a lot of families in the area that are really scraping to get by. It’s all they can do to pay for housing, food and health care.”

Sauvie said this project was created to “keep rents affordable. It will make a big difference for families living here with income ranges are between 30-50% of median income.”

Two of the units are designed with extra space for in-home child care providers. “This provides an income-earning opportunity to two families.”

Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten welcomes guests to the groundbreaking ceremony for Leander Court, a new Section-8 housing development in outer Southeast Portland.

On his way into the ceremony, Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten told us, “This is a scarce opportunity: Building family-size units, in a good location near schools, and in a safe, new environment.”

The commissioner said that the families moving into the new residences will have the chance to build a great community here. “For me this is really exciting. We need to have this kind of development everywhere in Portland. But, land is getting so scarce and expensive. So, when a group like Rose Community Development pull it off it is really exciting.”

The $7.3 million development is expected to be completed by July, 2007.